Over at the Guardian, Joan Bakewell argues that the UK is in need of a commissioner for older people.

So much so, in fact, that she’s proposing an amendment to the health and social care bill this week in the House of Lords. In the article, Bakewell proposes a “a single, sympathetic individual to speak up directly for the old themselves.”

There are plenty of commissioners already in other areas of government, while Wales and Northern Ireland have previously appointed people to represent older people. Back in 2008, Bakewell herself was appointed as an ”independent and informed advocate” for older people by the then Labour government.

So, is she right – do we need a commissioner for older people? It’s an interesting question, and one that’s garnered plenty of comments over on the Guardian’s website.

• Read Joan Bakewell’s piece in the Guardian
• The Guardian’s social care network

Image credit: Daily Telegraph

Combining stories with pictures by Chris Steele-Perkins, this fantastic project from the Joseph Rowntree Foundationy offers a glimpse into the lives of centenarians.

The project gives older people’s voices a platform, highlighting their experiences, resilience and ability to flourish across a century of huge change.

• Visit the ‘A better life’ website
• Find out more about this Joseph Rowntree Foundation project

Image credit: ‘A better life’ website

A free exhibition for those in or approaching retirement is coming to Gloucester in April.

Organised by the National Careline, the event features a range of organisations answering questions on subjects including health and well being, tax, money, housing, care, mobility, furnishing and legal issues.

If you’re retired or near retirement yourself, or care for someone who is, the event is a great place to ask all of those practical questions you may have.

Exhibitors include charitable organisations such as Age UK (Gloucestershire branch), and specialist home extension and bathroom companies..

The Retirement Roadshow takes place on 14 April 2012 at the Gloucester Guildhall.

• Visit the Retirement Roadshow website to register for a free ticket
• Visit the National Careline’s website

We are taking 50 isolated older people from in and around Croydon on a five-day break to Eastbourne.

Many of those on the trip will have been directly affected by the August riots and it is hoped the Break-Away will help bring people in the community together and reduce isolation.

If you know someone who may want to attend, please call 0207 828 0200 for more details.

Participants must be over 60 years old, on a low income, and have not been away for three years or more. The Eastbourne trip runs from February 20-24.

• Visit the NBFA website for more details

This post is by Jeanne, a volunteer courier on our Llandudno Turkey & Tinsel Break-Away.

I set out for Llandudno (“Clandoodno” – I now know how to pronounce it like the Welsh) with slight misgivings regarding the journey because it was longer than the NBFA breaks to the Dorset coast and I had two changes at Crewe and Chester, but the efficient staff at the NBFA had arranged for assistance on the journey and travel was smooth and pleasant.

The entire NBFA experience from the 12th to the 15th December was all it was supposed to be, both exciting and friendly for the coach-load from Birmingham for whom this was the first holiday in years, and the couple who drove down from Chester and turned out to be Mr and Mrs Santa Claus in disguise! Incidentally Mr Claus who walked with the aid of a stick and had great problems with his knees was full of praise for the TENS Machine he had received from the NBFA. His wife too shares it with him as she has problems with pain as well.

There was an overall feeling of warmth, kindness, and generosity of spirit. There was a mix of ethnicity but they were all typical “Brummies” – very friendly and down to earth and they were all happy and grateful for their Break-Away.

On the 13th we went by coach to Anglesey and Caernarfon, where we visited local shops and saw Caernarfon Castle – although only from outside. The following day included a trip to Portmadoc. It was very windy on the 13th, but luckily we did not get any snow.

Christmas was celebrated and Santa Claus visited us at the hotel bearing gifts for all; there was a traditional turkey dinner and on the last night we had our raffle and fancy dress competition. There were three contestants: Santa and his wife from Chester dressed up in costumes sewn by Santa (and his elves no doubt!); and there was Spider Woman. Spider Woman won first prize, with Mr and Mrs Santa Claus a worthy second and third.

We had good entertainment on all three nights and almost everyone got up and danced. Even some of the Asian ladies who were a little shy at first joined in after some encouragement from the others. It was heart-warming to see the group dancing and holding hands in a circle by the end of the week. They arrived as strangers but left as friends, with many swapping contact details and making arrangements to meet in the coming months.

• Find out more about the NBFA’s Breaks-Away

The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced a new series of matinee screenings and talks for seniors.

The programme is devised in consultation with a seniors’ steering group, beginning with Moon over the Alley on 9th January.

Tickets for most of the Southbank-based events are free.

• Download the programme (pdf)
• Find out more on the BFI website
• Call the BFI on 020 7928 3232

A small group of NBFA guests who had been on a Break-Away in Great Yarmouth in March 2011, got together in Birmingham for a Christmas Carvery lunch. Enthusiasm for the work of the NBFA was great and all wanted to remain in touch and take part in future NBFA organised events.

“We felt safe and secure with the NBFA” was one of the comments made to NBFA volunteer courier Alan, who went along to the re-union, and they seem to be continuing to enjoy their association if the empty plates were anything to go by!

• Find out more about our Break-Away trips

The Rotary Club of Battersea Park is throwing a fantastic Christmas Day lunch and tea party for elderly people of Wandsworth who might otherwise be alone, without the company of family and friends, on Christmas Day.

Do you know someone who might like to go? The party is free and open to anyone elderly and living in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It runs from about 9am until 4:30pm on 25th December.

And if you’d like to volunteer at the event, they are still looking for morning and evening bus escorts and people to help out in the afternoon on Christmas Day from 2pm onwards.

• Visit the Rotary Club website for more information and to book tickets
• Photo credit: the Rotary Club’s 2010 Christmas event

Here at the NBFA we’re getting ready for a mid-December Break-Away trip to Llandudno with some of Birmingham’s older people, with more days out planned in the new year.

If you know someone who’s over 60, on a low income, hasn’t had a holiday for three years, and to be mobile enough to get on and off a coach, then do get in touch.

• Find out more about our Break-Away trips

Yes, according to a piece of new research carried out in Britain. The study identified more positive characteristics associated with older people compared to previous studies in 1986 and 1994, which is fantastic news.

According to Phil Hanlon of the University of Glasgow, “the idea of healthy ageing is definitely emerging.”  However, Brian McKechnie of the University of Strathclyde points out that “increasing age is still considered negative in terms of health, employment ability and contribution.

The NBFA recognises that older people can face a range of challenges, and that’s why we work hard to improve the quality of life for older people in the UK.

Our services – including day trips and pain relief machines for use at home – are available free of charge for anyone over 60 on a low income.

• Find out more on our website

Image credit: ell brown on flickr